Do I need to purchase CAL licenses if the server I'm building is solely used for SQL?

Question

Do I need to purchase CAL licenses if the server I'm building is solely used for SQL?

Anonymous

I'm just confused on if I need to buy CALs for all the PC's that are going to access the SQL databases?

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Anonymous

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community forum.

Based on my research, whether you need to buy a client access license (cal) for SQL Server depends on the licensing model you choose.

SQL Server has two main authorization modes:

Per Core License: If you choose this mode, you do not need to purchase additional cal. This model is beneficial if you have a large or unpredictable number of users or devices accessing SQL Server.
Server + CAL Licensing: In this mode, you need to purchase a CAL for each user or device that accesses SQL Server directly or indirectly. If you have a limited number of users or devices, this may be more cost effective.

This article helps you understand SQL Server authorization: SQL Server license/CAL - Microsoft Q&A

I hope this helps.

Best regards

Jacen

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Answer 1

Yes, you typically need to purchase Client Access Licenses (CALs) for SQL Server if you're connecting to it from multiple devices. There are two types of CALs: User CALs and Device CALs. Choose the type based on your organization's needs. If your SQL Server is used exclusively for internal purposes, you might not need CALs. Consult with Microsoft's licensing experts or review the licensing documentation for your SQL Server edition to confirm your specific requirements.